Meet the team
At the core of the Primary Engineer team is the understanding that the work we do has a tremendous effect on children’s lives. Alongside the hard work there is a lot of laughter and a significant ‘wow’ factor – you only have to join in one of our activities to see why we do it!
Susan Scurlock
CEO and Founder of Primary Engineer Programmes
Susan Scurlock, Founder & CEO of Primary Engineer Programmes
She previously worked professionally as a graphic designer, moving on to become a teacher in a secondary school for eight years. I enjoyed primary school thoroughly, well apart from music, barn dancing and learning French! I attended two primary schools, St. Maries Primary School in Bury until I was 8 and then Bury Convent Prep. I didn’t pass my 11+ exam and went on to attend St. Gabriel’s High School. Being one of only two girls in the physics class and, to my irritation still, was not allowed to study Technical Drawing as it was a ‘boys only’ subject at the time! I left with the highest score for exam results the school had achieved at the time, great school! I wasn’t called a swot for nothing…
Jennifer Scurlock
Programme Director
Jennifer Scurlock, Programme Director
I was always interested in physics, art and music as a child, but never aspired to a specific career.
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
My role involves coming up with new ways to engage pupils with STEM and to take ownership of their own learning! On a day-to-day basis I design and manage the Institution Programmes (IPrimEng and ISecEng), coordinate with schools and industry and deliver teacher training.
Susan Scurlock
CEO and Founder of Primary Engineer Programmes
Susan Scurlock, Founder & CEO of Primary Engineer Programmes
She previously worked professionally as a graphic designer, moving on to become a teacher in a secondary school for eight years. I enjoyed primary school thoroughly, well apart from music, barn dancing and learning French! I attended two primary schools, St. Maries Primary School in Bury until I was 8 and then Bury Convent Prep. I didn’t pass my 11+ exam and went on to attend St. Gabriel’s High School. Being one of only two girls in the physics class and, to my irritation still, was not allowed to study Technical Drawing as it was a ‘boys only’ subject at the time! I left with the highest score for exam results the school had achieved at the time, great school! I wasn’t called a swot for nothing…
Jennifer Scurlock
Programme Director
Programme Director
I was always interested in physics, art and music as a child, but never aspired to a specific career.
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
My role involves coming up with new ways to engage pupils with STEM and to take ownership of their own learning! On a day-to-day basis I design and manage the Institution Programmes (IPrimEng and ISecEng), coordinate with schools and industry and deliver teacher training.
Chris Rochester
UK Director
Chris Rochester, UK Director
When I was at Primary School I wanted to be a journalist – I think initially it was confusion about wanting to be Superman rather than Clark Kent, but later ‘Press Gang’ was an influence too. I liked the idea of investigating and finding out about things and always enjoyed writing.
What does your role at primary Engineer involve?
As Regional Director, my role is about developing our work across the South of England, working with our existing stakeholders and developing new relationships with engineering industry and education partners.
Jenni Sneddon
Programme Manager
JENNI SNEDDON, PROGRAMME MANAGER
I wanted to be a ballerina or singer! I used to put on spectacular* shows in our living room for my parents and siblings. I actually went on to study dance when I left school but decided that organising and planning were more for me. As the eldest of 3 siblings I have always been an assertive, ‘take charge’ sort of person!
*I think my mum would use the word ‘messy’ as I used to rearrange the furniture and make stage curtains out of bath towels.
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
I’m Programme Manager for Primary Engineer, based in Edinburgh. I champion project management for Primary Engineer and oversee multiple projects relating to our programmes. I plan out iterative review and improvements for our programmes and generally make sure we are making our programmes the best they can be!
Chris Rochester
Regional Director, South of England
Chris Rochester, Regional Director, South of England
When I was at Primary School I wanted to be a journalist – I think initially it was confusion about wanting to be Superman rather than Clark Kent, but later ‘Press Gang’ was an influence too. I liked the idea of investigating and finding out about things and always enjoyed writing.
What does your role at primary Engineer involve?
As Regional Director, my role is about developing our work across the South of England, working with our existing stakeholders and developing new relationships with engineering industry and education partners.
Jenni Sneddon
Programme Manager
Jenni Sneddon, Programme Manager
I wanted to be a ballerina or singer! I used to put on spectacular* shows in our living room for my parents and siblings. I actually went on to study dance when I left school but decided that organising and planning were more for me. As the eldest of 3 siblings I have always been an assertive, ‘take charge’ sort of person!
*I think my mum would use the word ‘messy’ as I used to rearrange the furniture and make stage curtains out of bath towels.
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
I’m Programme Manager for the Institution Programmes (IPrimEng and ISecEng) and STATWARS, based in Edinburgh. I make sure that everything involved in delivering these programmes (logistics, resources, personnel etc) comes together at the right time. I plan out iterative review and improvements for these programmes and my programme delivery processes, and generally make sure we are making them the best they can be!
Lauren Nightingale
Head of Programmes – Central England
Lauren Nightingale, Head of Programmes – Central England
I never knew what I wanted to be growing up, I think it changed from week to week; from an FBI agent to professional swimmer and runner to interior designer. Because of that, it has allowed me to experiment with different career paths and interests and ultimately believe that is what has led me to where I am today!
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
Building and maintaining relationships with links in the engineering and education industries and organising training and celebration events up and down the country.
Graham Stow
Head of Education, Research and Qualifications
Graham Stow, Head of Education, Research and Qualifications
I always wanted to be an archaeologist. I was obsessed with dinosaurs, drawing them, buying toys, stickers and reading about them. Then as I grew up I realised it was a lot of digging and cleaning, so I quickly decided that was not for me.
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
As Head of Education my role is to develop the educational and skills content here at Primary Engineer. That will include working with teachers on our master’s level course, creating qualifications, developing resources, managing key projects and sharing the impact of our work more widely.
Lauren Nightingale
Account Manager
Lauren Nightingale, Account Manager
I never knew what I wanted to be growing up, I think it changed from week to week; from an FBI agent to professional swimmer and runner to interior designer. Because of that, it has allowed me to experiment with different career paths and interests and ultimately believe that is what has led me to where I am today!
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
Building and maintaining relationships with links in the engineering and education industries and organising training and celebration events up and down the country.
Graham Stow
Head of Education, Research and Qualifications
Graham Stow, Head of Education, Research and Qualifications
I always wanted to be an archaeologist. I was obsessed with dinosaurs, drawing them, buying toys, stickers and reading about them. Then as I grew up I realised it was a lot of digging and cleaning, so I quickly decided that was not for me.
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
As Head of Education my role is to develop the educational and skills content here at Primary Engineer. That will include working with teachers on our master’s level course, creating qualifications, developing resources, managing key projects and sharing the impact of our work more widely.
Jess Parkinson
Trainer and Account Manager
Jess Parkinson, Trainer and Account Manager
Initially, I really wanted to be…wait for it…A DOLPHIN TRAINER! I then homed in on that and it became a marine biologist. I was a keen dancer and actor, I even did it professionally at primary school age. But, I just loved football too much in the end so went on to complete my degree in sport to be a PE Teacher, evidently, not happened (yet!!) As you can see from my picture, looks like I also fancied following in Papa’s footsteps of Karting at some point!
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
At Primary Engineer, I have a dual-role, Trainer & Account Manager. The first part is as a Trainer, which covers the practical element of delivering the programmes to teachers, creating resources and evaluating our programmes. The other side of my role is an account manager which involves liaising with funders to organise the events, engaging schools in our programmes and promoting the STEM competitions across the UK and Jersey.
Ben Heffernan
Warehouse Manager
Ben Heffernan, Warehouse Manager
When I was at primary school I wanted to be a policeman.
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
My role at Primary Engineer is Warehouse Manager.
I ensure we have enough stock for each month’s training and place orders for new and additional stock.
I also pack the kits and resources for the schools for on the day training and for the teachers to take back to school for their students.
I book the vans, ferries and couriers we need to get the kit to the various destinations.
Jess Parkinson
Trainer and Account Manager
Jess Parkinson, Trainer and Account Manager
Initially, I really wanted to be…wait for it…A DOLPHIN TRAINER! I then homed in on that and it became a marine biologist. I was a keen dancer and actor, I even did it professionally at primary school age. But, I just loved football too much in the end so went on to complete my degree in sport to be a PE Teacher, evidently, not happened (yet!!) As you can see from my picture, looks like I also fancied following in Papa’s footsteps of Karting at some point!
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
At Primary Engineer, I have a dual-role, Trainer & Account Manager. The first part is as a Trainer, which covers the practical element of delivering the programmes to teachers, creating resources and evaluating our programmes. The other side of my role is an account manager which involves liaising with funders to organise the events, engaging schools in our programmes and promoting the STEM competitions across the UK and Jersey.
Ben Heffernan
Warehouse Manager
Ben Heffernan, Warehouse Manager
When I was at primary school I wanted to be a policeman.
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
My role at Primary Engineer is Warehouse Manager.
I ensure we have enough stock for each month’s training and place orders for new and additional stock.
I also pack the kits and resources for the schools for on the day training and for the teachers to take back to school for their students.
I book the vans, ferries and couriers we need to get the kit to the various destinations.